Creation and validation of a daily task reminder clock for people with dementia in a Pune dementia center.

Abstract

Background: This mixed-method study aimed to develop and validate an activity reminder clock for dementia through user testing and feedback. The increasing prevalence of dementia worldwide presents significant challenges for both patients and caregivers. Dementia impairs cognitive functions, complicating daily routines and management of everyday tasks. As the disease progresses, patients often struggle with time management and maintaining a structured routine, which can lead to increased confusion and reduced quality of life. Assistive technologies, such as activity reminder clocks, have emerged as potential solutions to help address these challenges. These devices are designed to aid individuals with dementia by providing reminders for daily activities, which can help them maintain a sense of normalcy and independence.

Materials and methods: The study was done in three main stages: the qualitative phase (phase 1), the device development phase (phase 2), and the quantitative phase (phase 3). The study's two sections consist of demographic and semi-structured interview questions. The semi-structured survey instrument was created for Interviews with medical professionals and caregivers and included expectations for this kind of technology, as well as opinions on the necessity of an activity reminder clock and the difficulties involved in caring for dementia patients. During the qualitative phase, interviews with physicians and caregivers revealed themes such as the advantages of assistive technology and difficulties with implementation. Thematic analysis influenced the development of the user-friendly activity reminder clock. In the subsequent quantitative study, which had thirty participants, a Likert scale was used to assess effectiveness.

Results: The results revealed a resounding yes (86.67%), with 93.33% of participants thinking the reminder clock was essential for dementia care. A whopping 93% of the participants expressed satisfaction with its usability, affordability, and convenience of use. Fisher's exact tests revealed a significant correlation between age and recommending the device to others (P = 0.03).

Conclusion: The study highlights the reminder clock's effectiveness and utility in enhancing daily tasks. Everyone agrees that it is necessary, logical, and beneficial. The findings indicate that age affects suggestions for device adoption and Favors tailored technology interventions to improve the quality of life for dementia patients.